Before the Blackhawks take the podium to announce the 18th overall selection of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks Blog takes you through the history of the team's greatest draft picks, and how they spent their time in the Blackhawks sweater.

There are more chapters to be written in Jonathan Toews' career, but its difficult to imagine a scenario that worked out better than the Blackhawks' top pick in 2006. In a draft class loaded with talented forwards - Washington's Nicklas Backstrom, Toronto's Phil Kessel and Philadelphia's Claude Giroux were among others taken in 2006's first round - it could be argued that none have achieved as much as Toews has in his career.Click here to read the full post >>

Before the Blackhawks take the podium to announce the 18th overall selection of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks Blog takes you through the history of the team's greatest draft picks, and how they spent their time in the Blackhawks sweater.

LW Darcy Rota - Selected 13th overall in the 1973 Entry Draft

One of the top snipers of his draft class, Darcy Rota finished his final junior hockey season with 73 goals in 68 games for the WCJHL's Edmonton Oil Kings, and was selected by the Blackhawks with the 13th overall pick in the 1973 Entry Draft.

Before the Blackhawks take the podium to announce the 18th overall selection of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks Blog takes you through the history of the team's greatest draft picks, and how they spent their time in the Blackhawks sweater.

LW Eric Daze - Selected 90th overall in the 1993 Entry Draft.

Immensely talented and highly productive, despite playing through back injuries, many would say that Eric Daze's Blackhawks career ended too soon. It's difficult not to agree, especially with the impressive way Daze began his NHL career after being drafted by the Blackhawks in 1993.
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Before the Blackhawks take the podium to announce the 18th overall selection of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks Blog takes you through the history of the team's greatest draft picks, and how they spent their time in the Blackhawks sweater.

C Denis Savard - Selected 3rd overall in the 1980 Entry Draft.

When the Montreal Canadiens - perhaps surprisingly - passed on Montreal Juniors standout Denis Savard in favor of center Doug Wickenheiser, the Blackhawks were happy to select him with the third overall pick.

Rewarded for his best amateur season to date, Blackhawks prospect and Saginaw Spirit left wing Brandon Saad was named an Ontario Hockey League First-Team All-Star on Wednesday, the league announced.

The year-end recognition, determined by a vote of OHL general managers, is the first for Saad, who joins the ranks of top-end NHL prospects including Dougie Hamilton and Tyler Toffoli on the first team. Nail Yakupov, a potential first-overall selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, made the OHL's third team at right wing.
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With the Coyotes’ Pacific Division-clinching win against Minnesota Saturday night, the Blackhawks will officially face off with Phoenix in the 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinal. The series, which will begin either Wednesday or Thursday, will start in Glendale, Ariz., for the first two games, then return to the United Center for the following two.

The Blackhawks were 1-2-1 against Phoenix in the 2011-12 season, as Jonathan Toews (3G, A) and Patrick Sharp (G, 3A) led all Chicago scorers.

Andrew Brunette leads all Blackhawks with 14 goals and 42 points in 46 career games against Phoenix. Toews has tallied 17 points (9G, 8A) in 16 games and Patrick Kane has notched 16 points (3G, 13A) in 18 contests. Goaltender Corey Crawford is 3-1-1 with a 2.85 goals-against average in six career appearances against the Coyotes.

While not entirely positive, the injury report from Blackhawks practice Thursday was encouraging, as both defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and captain Jonathan Toews inch closer toward returning to the lineup.

Hjalmarsson participated in the team practice Thursday morning, and said he is hopeful that he will play in Friday’s game against the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers.

Wednesday will mark the 639th meeting all-time between the Original Six franchises from Chicago and Toronto, and 85 years of games includes lots of history. Throughout that time, the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs have set numerous records and had dozens of memorable moments in their contests. Below are six notable matchups between the Hawks and Leafs:
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When the newest Blackhawk Johnny Oduya found out he was bound for Chicago, one emotion topped all others upon hearing the news.

“Excitement,” recalls Oduya, who spoke with reporters Monday, hours after the trade that sent him from Winnipeg to Chicago was completed. “You don’t want to leave your friends and your teammates behind after battling beside them all year, but my first thought was excitement.
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With just 25 games of NHL experience combined, it would be easy for both Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen to take some time to acclimate to the challenge of playing at the NHL level. No one would have faulted the rookies if they needed an adjustment period for the faster pace or if they struggled to keep up with the league's experienced and exceptionally-talented players.

Instead, both recent call-ups are playing important minutes for the Blackhawks and making big contributions during the team’s four-game winning streak.